Today’s classic song of the day is one you hear a lot on oldies radio but comes from a somewhat obscure one-hit wonder group. The song is “Have I the Right?” and the group is the Honeycombs.
“Have I the Right?” was written by Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley. The two of them were a well-known songwriting team in England with songs performed by the likes of Petula Clark, Lulu, Phil Collins, Engelbert Humperdinck, Little Eva, and Matthews Southern Comfort. Their song for the Honeycombs was recorded in producer Joe Meek’s home studio (actually, the living room of his apartment) at 304 Holloway Road in Islington, in North London. The single was released in June of 1964 and shot to #1 on the UK Singles chart and #5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
The Honeycombs were named after the band’s girl drummer, Honey Lantree. (In fact, “Have I the Right?” is a particularly drum-heavy song, supported by members of the group recorded stomping their feet on the stairs up to Meek’s apartment/recording studio.) The other members of the band, which was originally known as the Sheratons, were Denis D’Ell (lead vocals), Martin Murray (rhythm guitar), Alan Ward (lead guitar), and John Lantree, Honey’s brother (bass).
The band had a few more minor hits in the UK but effectively broke up in April of 1966. Several original members (including Honey and John) reformed around the turn of the century as the New Honeycombs, primarily playing their (few) hits and some covers on the oldies circuit. Original singer Denis D’Ell passed away in 2005, age 61. Drummer Honey Lantree died in 2018; she was 75.
So here’s your daily bonus video of the day, a promotional film of the Honeycombs performing “Have I the Right?,” prominently featuring Honey Lantree on the drums. It is a stomper.
